The secret of the mountains is that the mountains simply exist, as I do myself: the mountains exist simply, which I do not. The mountains have no "meaning," they are meaning; the mountains are. The sun is round. I ring with life, and the mountains ring, and when I can hear it, there is ringing that we share. I understand all this, not in my mind but in my heart, knowing how meaningless it is to try to capture what cannot be expressed, knowing that mere words will remain when I read it all again, another day. Peter Matthiessen

_Morning,It looks like it'll be a great day to be out on the trail. The high yesterday reached 40 degrees and the overnight low hit 25 degrees. It was 25 degrees and clear at 7am observation. I went down Bullhead and up Rainbow yesterday. The trail down Bullhead is still in pretty bad shape. There are 4 or 5 blowdowns that are pretty tricky. Here's a photo of one...

Top photo and above: Blowdowns on Bullhead.

_There's almost no ice left on the trails. We've been having some 'good sky' for views and it looks like that should continue through the weekend. I'm hoping the clear skies hold up this evening. My friend Jim pointed out to me that there's a major meteor shower tonight. It won't be quite as fun as the Perseids, but I'm going to scout out a nice high point and test out my new cold weather sleeping system (Special thanks to Aaron at 3T Threadworks!). I'll be the guy sipping coffee in a purple quilt. You may not recognize me because after seeing 100 meteors an hour I may no longer be human.In other news, nothing beats snail mail. Especially when you hike 10 miles to get it. Anticipation is a gift in itself. Thanks to all my amazing friends who take the time to correspond with me, sending me long letters and their lightly used copies of Rolling Stone. You've got a special place in my heart.

Wildlife! Not pictured: Top predators.

C'mon winter!

Debi

12/13/2012 02:59:53 am

You weren't kidding when you said bad blow downs. How did you get through it ? Wow! Nice snowman! Snow will come be patient. Most of our snow has melted in Michigan. Well, at least the roads are bare again. But more to come for us this weekend. Its going to be a sloppy slushy mess. Wooppee!!

doug

12/13/2012 05:25:01 am

When I've not logged on to this site for three or four days I feel like I've been away for months and missed a lot. And, I guess I'm like some others who come here: I simply must post a few comments. As JP said: the Geminid meteor shower peaks tonight and tomorrow night, sometime around midnight I think. These meteors are different in that they originate from an asteroid, "3200 Phaethon", which has a very elongated orbit around the sun. I'm somewhat of an amateur astronomer, but viewing a meteor "shower" requires only that a person is willing to get out in often cold nighttime conditions; no telescope is necessary and even binoculars aren't of much use. A time exposure on a camera is the best method, one I use with varying levels of success. So, I'll certainly be out this midnight, sky conditions permitting, and I'll lay on my old Army cot wrapped nicely within my sleeping bag with only my eyes exposed; my camera will be stationed nearby, too. I do hope this year's display will be a good one which some have predicted. I was wondering the other day about how other readers feel about their hiking gear, particularly cold weather equipment, primarily because I'm basically "old school:, having plenty of gear, even some of the new(er) equipment. I've been to NOC a couple of times, but still ponder about all the newest gear and such. I don't really need any new equipment, but pertaining to clothing, and "layers", I think that perhaps I should acquire an entire new wardrobe for cold weather hiking, which is my favorite. I just cannot decide, so I suppose the thing for me to do is research further. I'm coming up Mt. Leconte next week, starting at Newfound Gap, out the A.T. briefly, out Boulevard, then down the 'back side' on Trillium for a nice day journey. I appreciate your information on the blowdowns, JP, but those never really bother me. Some are a little more difficult to maneuver around, but I always find a way. As always, your photos are appreciated. G'day to all.

Steve D

12/13/2012 09:31:17 am

Hey Doug-I am a new hiker this year, and got some good advice on cold weather hiking clothing. I hiked Mt LeConte up and down yesterday and wore a tshirt-long sleeve long john top-long sleeve tshirt(all 100% polyester), with a fleece vest and was warm as toast with temps mostly 30-40 degrees. On my legs I had the long john bottoms and then just sweat pants over them.. I had gloves and a toboggan but ended up wearing them only about an hour total. I also took a fleece jacket with me(tied around my waist) in case a cold wind blew on the top section but only used it for about 30 minutes on top when I was having my lunch and hot chocolate. Its amazing how our body heat that we generate keeps us from having to have too much on. Bass Pro had a great sale on those 100% polyester long johns. Belk has a brand (very well priced) called S B Tech with the 100% polyester short sleeve and long sleeve tshirts. Belk also had their Columbia fleece vests on sale for $29.99. I saw J P on the mountain one day with his shorts on, so you are welcome to try that but I haven't gotten there yet! Have a great hike!

Dewayne

12/13/2012 07:23:14 am

How long did it take you to get down Bullhead?

JP

12/14/2012 11:57:25 pm

Dewayne,
it took me 3 hours to get down Bullhead, Old Sugarland and Gatlinburg trail. I was pretty excited about mail, though...

Dewayne

12/18/2012 06:21:06 am

You must have been flying, man. I'm thinking of doing the Rainbow Falls/Bullhead loop Saturday if there isn't any ice from this next system.

JP, thanks for the posts. One day... maybe soon... look for the old bearded guy to come and pay a visit, and, maybe, bring my quilt, it's red and coffee is my favorite sustenance, next to Devils Cut from Jim Beam. Good meteor viewing.

JP

12/14/2012 11:58:22 pm

Henry,
I still haven't had Devil's Cut. Worth the investment? It'd be great to see you. Shoot me an email before you head up so I know not to hike off somewhere....

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